Therapeutic-laughter program set for seniors

July 30, 2006

Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks will sponsor "Laughter -- The Best Medicine," a program for seniors ages 55 and older to strengthen the immune system, lower blood pressure and promote emotional healing.

The program, sponsored by the Horizon Foundation through a Community Health Issues Program Grant, is not based on joke-telling; the healing therapy comes from India.

It will be offered from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Aug. 16 and 23 at Guilford Senior Center, and from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Sept. 13 at Longwood Senior Center. Admission is free.

Information: 410-313-7279.

Make handmade greeting cards

The Oakland Mills Community Association will sponsor "Stamping with Gina," a chance to make handmade greeting cards with a professional look, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 15 at The Other Barn, 5851 Robert Oliver Place, in the Oakland Mills Village Center.

The cost is $10 plus a $4 ma- terials fee. Registration is required.

Information: 410-730-4610.

Around Town

Free concerts -- Free Monday night concerts at Lake Elkhorn have begun. The Kinderman will perform at 7 p.m. tomorrow. The concerts are held at the band shell (the red gazebo) at the spillway. In case of inclement weather, the shows will be held in the pavilion at the lake. Kings Contrivance, Long Reach, Oakland Mills and Owen Brown are concert sponsors. 410-730-4610.

Bridge, Mah-jong -- A drop-in bridge program is being offered from noon to 3 p.m. Tuesdays at the 50+ Center at the east Columbia library. A 30-minute lecture is included. Players at all levels are welcome to refresh skills, learn bridge conventions and meet friends. Mentoring is available. The cost is $6. Lessons in Mah-jong are offered at the 50+ Center. The cost is $31 for three classes, after which students will be qualified to play. Registration is required. 410-290-5430.

At the library -- The east Columbia library, 6600 Cradlerock Way, will hold a "Mystery Book-Nic," a chance to enjoy a mystery and a picnic lunch for children ages 6 to 8, at noon Wednesday. Registration is required. 410-313-7700.`Market Tales' -- The east Columbia library, 6600 Cradlerock Way, is offering "Market Tales," a program of stories with summer themes, songs and a craft for children to age 5 (children to age 3 must be accompanied by an adult) at 10:30 a.m. and at 2:30 p.m. Thursdays, through Aug. 31. The program will be held while the farm market is on the library parking lot. Tickets will be distributed at the children's desk a half-hour before each event. The market is held on the library's parking lot from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays. 410-313-7730.

Belly dancing -- Long Reach Community Association, 8775 Cloudleap Court, will offer belly-dancing classes for adults Aug. 7 through Oct. 2. Classes for beginners will meet from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays; for advanced students, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. The cost is $64 for eight weeks, with a 5 percent discount for residents of Columbia Association-assessed property. 410-730-8113.

Free ice cream -- Howard County Farmer's Market in Oakland Mills Village Center will hold free ice-cream days Aug. 15 and Sept. 12. The market, which is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays, carries vegetables, fruit, flowers and fresh baked goods. Corn and peaches are available. The market is held on the parking lot of Oakland Mills Village Center on Robert Oliver Place. Sandy Cederbaum, 410-730-4610.

Jazz -- The Lavenia Nesmith Quintet will be featured in an "Evening of Jazz" from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 20 at The Other Barn in Oakland Mills Village Center, 5851 Robert Oliver Place. Jazz singer Lavenia Nesmith will perform with Chris Grasso on piano, Lenny Robinson on drums, Paul Carr on saxophone and Wes Biles on bass. The event, sponsored by Oakland Mills Community Association, costs $10. Light refreshments will be served. Ben Hunter, 410-730-1129.